Most haunted: the spookiest royal palaces revealed
For Halloween, here's some boo-tiful ideas on where to stalk those stately spirits
From Hampton Court to Windsor Castle, here’s The Royal List’s guide to creepy castles and palace phantoms…
Catherine Howard at Hampton Court Palace: Considered to be the most haunted palace in the UK, Hampton Court’s Haunted Gallery (the clue’s in the name) is where the ghost of Catherine Howard roams. Henry VIII’s fifth wife was a cousin of Anne Boleyn, which you would have thought would have been a red flag for her... Legend says when she was arrested for adultery, she ran along the corridor screaming for mercy. But mercy not being Henry VIII’s strong point, she was packed off to the Tower of London in 1542 and beheaded, aged 19. Her ghost can still be seen running along the gallery and some visitors have reported feeling a chill, or “strange sensations” when passing along it.
Queen Elizabeth I at Windsor Castle: Windsor Castle is also said to have lots of extra residents. Elizabeth I reportedly roams the library where her “footsteps can be heard on the bare floorboards, before her striking presence appears” and has even been spotted by the Queen and Princess Margaret. Other sightings include George III staring out of a library window. And Henry VIII is said to groan away in the Dean’s cloister.
Princess Sophia at Kensington Palace: Kensington Palace also has its ghosts - many reported in Apartment 1A, where William and Catherine now live. One of its most memorable is Queen Victoria’s aunt, Princess Sophia, who died in 1848 in the palace and was a passionate spinner. Apparently the sound of a spinning wheel can often be heard today. She is joined by George II, who can be seen staring out at the weather vane as he did in the days just before his death in 1760.
Poltergeists at Sandringham: As if that wasn’t enough, there are meant to be poltergeists in Sandringham - the Norfolk home where the Queen spends Christmas. Apparently, even Prince Charles has seen them at work with cards flying, blankets pulled off beds and lights switching on and off. There are many rooms that spook out the staff and the Queen once held a religious service in one bedroom, according to biographer Kenneth Rose. The room - where her father George VI lived during the months before his death, was reportedly so haunted, staff wouldn’t work in it.
A monk at Buckingham Palace: Is nowhere safe? Even Buckingham Palace has unwanted residents. Before the palace was built in 1703, the site was home to a monastery and it’s believed it stands on the tomb of a restless monk. He walks the rear terrace of the palace at night, wearing a brown cowl.
Diana’s “ghost” helped Kristen
Early reviews have been raving about Kristen Stewart’s performance as Diana in Spencer. The Twilight actor says Diana’s “ghost” helped her and as she made the movie she wondered if the princess could see her. “I don’t know if I believe in anything. I don’t believe in ghosts, but I don’t not believe in ghosts,” she told The Guardian. “I believe in a lingering energy. I took her in, whether or not it was my idea of her or there was some actual literal remnant of her.” Spencer is released on Friday - see you at the cinema.
Queen determined to be at Cenotaph ceremony
Although Her Majesty was back to work holding Zoom calls, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday she is now under doctors’ orders to rest for at least the next two weeks. The Queen is said to be in ‘good spirits’ and is determined she will not miss her Remembrance Sunday balcony appearance to watch the Cenotaph wreath-laying ceremony, a date she considers the most important in her calendar.
“The doctors have advised that Her Majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual audiences, but not to undertake any official visits,” the statement said. “Her Majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday November 13. However, it remains the Queen’s firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on November 14.” We wish her well.
Camilla’s passionate speech for women
The Duchess of Cornwall took to the podium this week as part of her campaign to lift the shame and stigma surrounding violence against women. Speaking frankly, she tackled the “unimaginable torment” of women killed by men and the families left behind. “How many more women must be harassed, raped or murdered before we truly unite to forge a violence-free world?” she said. “We need to get the men in our lives involved in this movement. We do not, in any way, hold all men responsible for sexual violence. But we do need them all on board to tackle it.”
Camilla was speaking as she opened the Shameless! Festival in London, a collaboration between the Women of the World festival, of which she is patron, and a Birkbeck, University of London research project.
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